The sorrowing father

Rabbi Abraham had lived an exemplary life. When he died, he went straight to Paradise, and the angels welcomed him with songs of praise.

Yet Abraham sat alone, head in hands, deeply distressed, refusing all consolation. Finally, he was brought before the Almighty and he heard an infinitely tender voice ask him:

‘My beloved servant, what sorrow do you bear in your breast?’

‘I am unworthy of the honours being heaped upon me,’ replied the Rabbi. ‘I was considered an example to my people, but I must have done something very wrong. My one son, on whom I lavished my finest teaching, became a Christian!’

‘Oh, don’t worry about that,’ said the voice of the Almighty. ‘I had an only son too and he did exactly the same thing!’